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tays_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Body horror, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Alcohol, Abandonment, Child death, Self harm, Cursing, Murder, Vomit, and Death of parent
Minor: Torture, Infidelity, and Fire/Fire injury
pookiee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
the magic system being like TCG/cards is so unique and gives me life! def the best part of the book. and the Nightmare is like Venom.
i really like how abandonment and finding a family elsewhere are portrayed. the romance is typical but nice.
this was going to be a 5! but the book drags in the last part and doesn’t conclude, just sets up a sequel—which makes me not want to read it.
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment, Blood, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, and Torture
Minor: Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Vomit
anewton's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Vomit, Blood, and Violence
katievallin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Gore, Abandonment, Blood, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Terminal illness, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Alcohol, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, and Vomit
Minor: Body horror, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, and Sexism
wildflower_magic's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Abandonment, Confinement, Genocide, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, Blood, Child death, and Violence
Moderate: Self harm, Police brutality, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
toastyghosty13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
the book started off a little slow for me, since there are a lot of characters introduced in a short amount of time and makes it a bit difficult to keep track of who is actually relevant.
probably about 4 chapters in this book really took off for me. it definitely brought me out of my reading slump with the world building and mysterious magic system of the providence cards. i was hooked pretty quickly from the interactions between characters and trying to figure out how the magic works along with the main character, Elspeth.
i am glad i didn’t read this book until now, only because the sequel is releasing in 2 weeks. the book ended with a bit of a cliffhanger but one that just makes me all the more excited for the next book.
i will say i found some earlier parts of romance to be very cringey, but it got way better as the book went on. im rooting for
after i finished this book i immediately preordered the next. i am counting down the days until it comes out, since i think it will have very good autumn vibes as it builds up to the winter solstice.
Graphic: Blood and Violence
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Death of parent
hallht98's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Vomit and Violence
Minor: Torture
sophs_mood_reading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
We meet Elsbeth, cursed with the infection and possessed by a creepy nightmare beast/man, let’s just say life’s complicated.
For years she’s stayed hidden from those hunting the infected but then on one fateful day (courtly ball) she finds herself suddenly face to face with the man who is in charge of ridding the world of the infected (yup not great), and yes he is handsome and broody with some mysteries of his own (well hello captain).
Thus we start a tale of two sworn foes thrown together to help save their world. But of course they both have secrets they are yet to share.
I have to say I love me some ye old- timey fantasy/ magical books. We have kings, castles, curses, heroines and a broody MMC who I am sure is a spitting image of Henry Cavil 🤣.
There was a great unique magic system and it was a fun way to see the price paid for using magic and how it is wielded.
Pet peeve of course is a cliffhanger where there is no resolution to the story and you need to read the next book. But I will happily do this as it was great.
Moderate: Blood, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, and Vomit
Minor: Abandonment and Death of parent
missgarceau's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I recommend waiting until the series is complete tbh.
The magic system is fascinating & the lore is intriguing. It’s like a dark and twisted fairytale full of riddles & rhymes. An epic quest full of shock & horror and a sprinkle of slow-burn romance.
It’s not FTB but the spice is mild.
Idk if this is categorized as a romance, but unless there’s an HEA- I might trash it in my fury & rage! I am REELING after that ending!! Toddler tantrum level 3000!!!
Caveat emptor. Buyer beware.
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Sexual content, Abandonment, Body horror, Body shaming, Physical abuse, Violence, Vomit, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, Torture, and Toxic relationship
theespressoedition's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
To the quiet girls with stories in their heads. To their dreams—and their nightmares.
Nothing is free. Nothing is safe. Magic is love, but also, it is hate. It comes at a cost. You’re found, and you’re lost. Magic is love, but also, it’s hate.
That’s how the best lies are told—with just a sliver of truth.
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Sexual content, and Vomit